title: [Quality of life of women GPs in Auvergne].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The medical profession is feminising. In parallel, the importance of quality of life (QOL) must be addressed. Family practice needs personal investment and availability. This profession can have repercussions on womens' QOL. The objective of the study was to compare female GPs QOL to other women with the comparable socioprofessional status. The secondary objective was to study the influence of factors, such as workplace and work methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comparative cross-sectional study. A self-assessed questionnaire, sent by post to 394 female general practitioners in Auvergne, each was asked to recruit one woman (non-GP), with similar age and socioprofessional status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 148 female GPs (37.6%) and 122 non-GPs responded. The global score of QOL was lower in the GP group, noticeably showing a poorer QOL in the relational and material areas. The professional QOL was similar between the 2 groups. The study did not find a significant difference concerning the QOL in its physical and psychological dimensions. The main negative factors influencing the QOL were: age; isolation of the occupation; living alone; and liberal occupation. Working in a rural area did not influence the QOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The profession of GPs remains demanding, and the female GP feels a poorer QOL. Nevertheless, they seem to like their job and they feel fulfilled. The uneasiness comes essentially from the lack of free time, and from low financial income. Working in association seems to be a first step to improve the QOL of female GPs.
authors.affiliation: Université d'Auvergne, UFR médecine, département de médecine générale, 28, place Henri-Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Marie Dolorès
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Mathonnat
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Filloux
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tanguy
authors.forename: Bénédicte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Eschalier
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vorilhon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D010822:Physicians, Women / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012424:Rural Population; D012647:Self-Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data